CD32 is expressed on cells with transcriptionally active HIV but does not enrich for HIV DNA in resting T cells

The persistence of HIV reservoirs, including latently infected, resting CD4+ T cells, is the major obstacle to cure HIV infection. CD32a expression was recently reported to mark CD4+ T cells harboring a replication-competent HIV reservoir during antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppression. We aimed to determine whether CD32 expression marks HIV latently or transcriptionally active infected CD4+ T cells. Using peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue of ART-treated HIV+ or SIV+ subjects, we found that most of the circulating memory CD32+ CD4+ T cells expressed markers of activation, including CD69, HLA-DR, CD25, CD38, and Ki67, and bore a TH2 phenotype as defined by CXCR3, CCR4, and CCR6. CD32 expression did not selectively enrich for HIV- or SIV-infected CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood or lymphoid tissue; isolated CD32+ resting CD4+ T cells accounted for less than 3% of the total HIV DNA in CD4+ T cells. Cell-associated HIV DNA and RNA loads in CD4+ T cells positively correlated with the frequency of CD32+ CD69+ CD4+ T cells but not with CD32 expression on resting CD4+ T cells. Using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, CD32 coexpression with HIV RNA or p24 was detected after in vitro HIV infection (peripheral blood mononuclear cell and tissue) and in vivo within lymph node tissue from HIV-infected individuals. Together, these results indicate that CD32 is not a marker of resting CD4+ T cells or of enriched HIV DNA–positive cells after ART; rather, CD32 is predominately expressed on a subset of activated CD4+ T cells enriched for transcriptionally active HIV after long-term ART

Nouvelles voies de préparation de catalyseurs actifs et stables à base de Ni-alumine mésoporeuse pour le reformage à sec du méthane et la méthanation du CO2

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a process that converts CH4 and CO2 gases into syngas, a gaseous mixture of H2 and CO. Ni based catalysts proved to be suitable for the reaction due to their good activity, wider availability and lower cost than noble-based materials. However, these catalysts are not stable due to Ni sintering and coke deposition. In this thesis we developed two different synthesis routes of mesoporous Ni-Al2O3 based catalysts that can occlude Ni inside the pores achieving high activity and stability in DRM. A set of complimentary physicochemical techniques was systematically applied to thoroughly investigate the materials properties at all steps of preparation and activation. The first approach embraces synthesis of mesoporous Ni-Mg-Al2O3 materials by one-pot EISA strategy. Results demonstrate that 15 wt% Mg (optimum loading) based sample contribute to high and homogenous dispersion of both Ni and Mg, preserving ordered mesoporous Al2O3 walls. The good structural and textural characteristics in addition to the enhanced basicity reinforce activity and stability. The second method involves synthesizing new mesoporous Ni-Al2O3 materials using metal-organic framework as sacrificial template. This procedure results in small Ni nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed and stabilized within the high surface area support resisting sintering and inhibiting carbon nanotubes formation during reforming reaction. Based on catalytic tests completed by thermodynamics calculations, the synthesized materials proved to be eficient not only for dry reforming of methane, but also for CO2 methanation reaction and dry reforming of waste pyrolysis products.Le reformage à sec du méthane (DRM) est un processus qui convertit simultanément CH4 et CO2 en un mélange gazeux de H2 et de CO appelé syngas. Les catalyseurs à base de Ni sont particulièrement prometteurs mais ils ne sont pas stables en raison du frittage du Ni et du dépôt de coke. Dans cette thèse, nous avons développé deux voies de synthèse de catalyseurs mésoporeux à base de Ni-Al2O3 dans lesquels Ni est stabilisé dans l'oxyde, ce qui donne une activité et une stabilité élevées en DRM. Des techniques physicochimiques complémentaires ont été appliquées pour identifier les propriétés des matériaux à toutes les étapes de préparation et d'activation. La première approche comprend la synthèse « EISA one-pot » de matériaux mésoporeux Ni-Mg-Al2O3. L’échantillon à base de 15% en poids de Mg (charge optimale) contribue à une dispersion élevée et homogène de Ni et de Mg tout en préservant la qualité structurale de la matrice Al2O3 mésoporeuse. La basicité accrue renforce l'activité et la stabilité. La seconde méthode consiste à synthétiser des matériaux mésoporeux Ni-Al2O3 innovants en utilisant une structure organométallique (MOF) comme matrice sacrificielle. Cette procédure permet la formation de petites nanoparticules de Ni stabilisées de manière homogène dans le support de grande surface spécifique, insensibles au frittage et à la formation de nanotubes de carbone lors de la réaction de DRM. Les tests catalytiques complétés par des calculs thermodynamiques montrent l’efficacité des matériaux synthétisés non seulement pour le reformage à sec du méthane, mais également pour la méthanation du CO2 et le reformage à sec de biogaz issu de pyrolyse

Extra-pulmonary Pneumocystis jiroveciinfection: a case report

In physical examination abdominal tenderness, gate disturbance and penile herpetic lesions were detected. Decreased disc height at T11-T12 level was detected in chest X-ray. Abdominal sonography and CT scan revealed hypo dense lesions in Lt left Lobe of liver and multiple hypo dense splenic and pancreatic lesions, ascitis, Lt left sided pleural effusion, thickening of jejuneal mucosa and edema of bowel wall. Vertebral body lesion and paravertebral abscess, bony calvarial involvement and adjacent extra axial brain lesion were observed in imaging were other findings. RNA analysis for HIV was positive. Vertebral lesion biopsy and aspiration of splenic lesion were performed and pathology revealed Pneumocystis jirovecii suggestive of extra pulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection

Porous Nickel‐Alumina Derived from Metal‐Organic Framework (MIL‐53): A New Approach to Achieve Active and Stable Catalysts in Methane Dry Reforming

International audienc

Effect of pore geometry of mesoporous supports on catalytic performances in methane reforming

Catalysts prepared using three dimensional SBA-16 silica support (composed of micropores and cage-like mesopores) were tested in the reaction of methane dry reforming, in comparison with 2D hexagonal mesoporous SBA-15 support. The samples were evaluated by N2 sorption and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) for the assessment of their textural and structural properties. The reducibility was characterized by temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The catalytic performances were evaluated in methane dry reforming and spent catalysts (after reaction) were characterized for the evaluation of sintering and coke formation by TPH/MS, XRD and HR-TEM

Comprehensive study on the effect of magnesium loading over nickel-ordered mesoporous alumina for dry reforming of methane

A comprehensive study of the effect of Mg loading on the performances in Dry Reforming of Methane of a series of mesoporous Ni6-Mgx-Al2O3 catalysts containing 6 wt% Ni and 0 to 26 wt% Mg is presented. Complementary characterizations by N2 sorption, XRD, SEM/TEM, FT-IR, H2-TPR and H2-TPD of the materials, synthesized by one-pot EISA method and studied in their calcined and reduced forms, reveal excellent porous ordering and high and homogeneous chemicals distribution up to an intermediate Mg content. Afterwards, MgO segregation occurs associated to some structural loss, to nickel sintering due to a change from nickel aluminate to NiO-based species, and to strong basic sites formation. In line with these physicochemical changes, all catalytic results reveal the existence of volcano curves in which the optimum Mg content is between 5 and 10 wt%. This optimum is also discussed in view of turn over frequencies and activation energy values

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis versus non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections: a CT-scan challenge

INTRODUCTION: Clinical, laboratory and imaging findings in patients with multidrug resistanttuberculosis (MDR-TB) and non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) are similar, and the majority of these patients present with positive smear for Acid Fast Bacilli (ADB) and no response to first line anti-TB treatment, so sputum culture and PCR are necessary, especially in NTM. OBJECTIVE: In this study we evaluate more details of imaging findings to help earlier diagnosis of pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 66 patients with positive smear for AFB and no response to first line anti-TB drugs were divided into two groups by PCR and culture: MDR-TB (43 patients) and NTM (23 patients). Age, sex, history of anti-TB treatment, smoking and CT-scan findings (parenchymal, pleural and mediastinal variables) by details and lobar distribution were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of NTM patients was slightly higher (52 versus 45) and there is no significant difference in sex and smoking. In MDR-TB group, history of anti-TB treatment and evidence of chronic pulmonary disease such as calcified and fibrodestructed parenchyma, volume loss and pleural thickening were higher significantly. Cavities in MDR-TB were thickwall in the background of consolidation, while NTM cavities were more thin-walled with adjacent satellite nodules in same segment or lobe. Prevalence of bronchiectasis was similar in both groups, while bronchiectasis in MDR-TB group was in fibrobronchiectatic background in upper lobes, and in NTM group the distribution was more uniform with slightly middle lobes predominance. Prevalence and distribution of nodular infiltrations were similar more in Tree in Buds and scattered pattern. Calcified or non-calcified lymph nodes and also pleural changes were more frequent in MDR-TB but prevalence of lymphadenopathy was mildly higher in NTM. CONCLUSION: A check-list with multiple variables is helpful for differentiation between the two groups